Flood deaths now total 24

Written by changthai11 on Monday, October 6th, 2008

The Public Health Ministry reported yesterday that the death toll from the current floods was officially recorded at 24.

It said doctors treated 217,308 patients over the past 24 days, with most suffering foot infections and rashes.

Dr Suphan Srithamma, a ministry spokesman, said the ministry will continue monitoring flood-hit areas for another month to prevent any disease outbreaks after the flood water dissipates.

Public Health Minister Chalerm Yubamrung instructed local public health officials to educate people in preventing water-borne diseases.

Tha Kwien market in Chachoengsao province’s Phanom Sarakham district has been flooded, forcing traders to move their goods to higher ground. Roads and temples are underwater.

The Chee river in Kalasin province has overflowed its banks, triggering floods in some villages in Kamalasai and Khong Chai Phatthana districts.

Witthaya Makpan, a local disaster prevention and mitigation officer, said the water level in the river reached the critical level at 14.2 metres.

About 25,000 acres of farmland were inundated. Authorities expect it will take at least three days to drain water from flooded areas. TNA